Blades' goalie Flodell eager to play against former Seattle team

Logan Flodell was on the ice with the Saskatoon Blades when the Seattle Thunderbirds’ bus pulled up Monday afternoon to the SaskTel Centre.

If this had been six weeks earlier, Flodell would have been on that Thunderbirds bus, among the visitors not the home team.

“It’s a little different for sure,” admitted Flodell as the Blades wrapped up practice to get ready for Tuesday’s Western Hockey League match with the visiting Thunderbirds.

“I wish the game was on (Monday) already, but it should be a good collective effort (Tuesday) from the guys.”

You can’t blame Flodell for circling that Nov. 1 date on his calendar. His former Seattle-based team is in town to play his new team, for the first time since the Sept. 17 trade that sent Flodell to the Blades for defenceman Anthony Bishop.

“It’s always different playing against a team you played with the last three years but I know it’s going to be a great game,” said Flodell, a Regina native who leads the WHL with a .940 save-percentage and two shutouts.

“You kind of get them in the back of your mind and the boys are really supportive. They’re going to come out hard for (Tuesday’s) game. We don’t circle it on our calendar but we’ve been focused on the last couple games and I’ve been playing really well and our forecheck is going to have to be good.”

Flodell has a 6-3-0-0 record and 1.99 goals-against average since arriving in Toon Town.

“Whenever you get traded, it’s a big deal,” he said. “I’m happy to be here though. But you want to show them (Thunderbirds). So far, I’ve done the job of showing people that I can be a certain goaltender and I can play and get the team to the playoffs.”

FLODELL WILL START

Blades head coach Dean Brockman made it no secret that Flodell would get the start in net Tuesday against Seattle.

“It’s crazy not to,” Brockman said. “Obviously he wants to send a message. We just want him to be a Flodell. We don’t want him to be anything else. Certainly, he’s been really big for us. Without him, we’re probably still in good shape but it just gives our group confidence. And, when your group has confidence, it’s easier to win games.”

Brockman says that Flodell’s stellar play gives the Blades confidence “when you know that, if you do make a mistake, it’s not going to hurt you immediately.”

The Blades are coming off a solid team effort, defensively, against Prince Albert, which also helps. Flodell has taken notice.

“We just have to be a tight group and not let the pass get through the seams (defensively),” he said. “The boys have done a really good job of fore-checking and getting pucks deep. It’s just helps to keep pucks clear when you’re playing in the other end.”

While Brockman says you never question a trade, sometimes you can’t help but wonder.

“You always wonder why it happened or why he was available or what they didn’t see or what we didn’t see,” admits Brockman, “but, so far, he’s been really good for us. We just hope he keeps it going.”

BISHOP BACK IN TOWN

At the other end, the 5-foot-11, 181-pound Bishop has two assists in 10 games with the T-Birds. He, too, found seeing his old team Monday to be a little strange.

“I don’t know how to describe it, honestly,” said Bishop. “I’m just used to being out there and looking at the (visiting) teams that are in my position now. Being one of those guys is a weird feeling.

“It all flew by since I was traded. I know that’s my team now. The past, you can’t control. I’m just excited to play against my old team.”

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